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Ayoola Smart Has Never Played Anyone Like Her 'Wheel of Time' Character

By Carly Lane

Published Dec 26, 2023

The actress also discusses the long filming process behind her first fight scene and the importance of making fantasy more inclusive.

Image by Jefferson Chacon

Ayoola Smart, who plays Aiel warrior Aviendha in The Wheel of Time, initially read the first three books in the series while filming Season 2, but decided to read alongside the scripts for Season 3 to let the story unfold.
Smart underwent two weeks of stunt training for her first fight scene in Season 2 and had to film it over three months due to COVID and injuries.
Smart also discusses the importance of inclusivity in the fantasy genre and the process behind the creation of the Aiel's handtalk language.